Mountbatten House, a 1973 office complex by Peter Foggo, is renowned in the U.K. for its draped terraces flush with greenery. The Miesian bulwark in Basingstoke, Hampshire and its gardensknown colloquially as the hanging gardens of Basingstokewas recentlyrestored, albeit under a new name: Plant, a fitting title given its corporate program and overflow of gardens. Foggo, a former project leader at Arup, designed Mountbatten House with acclaimed landscape architect James Russell as the headquarters for a paper manufacturer, Wiggins Teape. Its very much of its time, perhaps reminiscent of Kevin Roche and John Dinkeloos Oakland Museum, namely that California institutions Babylonian qualities.The buildings and expansive gardens were each listed by English Heritage in 2015. After Mountbatten House was listed, were subsequently brought on to reimagine the complex as a sustainable work space equipped for the 21st centurys needs.The former office building was occupied by a paper manufacturer for decades and again a commercial workspace . (Andy Stagg)Plant is a new mixed-use development backed by William Laxton of Mactaggart Family & Partners. Its positioned to become an economic driver for Hampshire, the project team said. It offers 210,000 square feet of office and amenity space stocked with a cafe, gym, shower and changing rooms, bike storage, and a multipurpose area. The architects managed to retain much of the old complexs midcentury elements which make it so appealing, but there were prominent interventions that needed to be made. Mechanical systems were upgraded, access to the gardens and roof terraces were improved, and climate-resilient vegetation was introduced to the site.A Collaborative AffairOur work focused on preserving the unique character of Foggos original design while creating a framework that balances function with environmental responsibility, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios partner Ian Taylor said in a statement. Plant now stands as a benchmark for retrofitting and regeneration, a space where people and nature thrive in harmony, embodying the values we strive for in every project.The building is organized around an expansive, terraced garden. (Andy Stagg)Martin Knight, a director at Studio Knight Stokoe, added that Plant was about redefining what a workspace can be.Here, the connection between people and nature isnt an afterthought, Knight offered, its at the core of everything. The team has used regenerative and biophilic design principles to create beautiful environments that support wellbeing, in every sense.Water features are installed in the courtyard. (Andy Stagg)The architects redesigned and expanded the building entrances reception area. This was meant to enhance the arrival experience and establish a stronger visual connection with the refurbished gardens layered on the commercial buildings six stories. The complex now has double-height spaces that offer cavernous vertical connections between floors, increasing openness and natural light access. An impressive, sculptural helical staircase guides visitors inwards.Thousands of new plants and dozens of new trees were planted, as part of the renovation project. (Andy Stagg)Outdoors, more than 22,500 new plants and 86 new trees were introduced. The garden, designers said, was meant to be informal, elaborate, romantic, overflowing, and tumbling.Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios shepherded the project through planning approval and the listing process. That studio stayed on to help monitor planning through construction. Twelve Architects then completed later stages of architectural design, including some variations that had to be approved.Inside the floor plates are expansive with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood in natural light. (Andy Stagg)A typical staircase inside the office complex. (Andy Stagg)This project provided a unique opportunity to not only preserve the legacy of Peter Foggo and James Russell but also to enhance it for future generations, Keith French, a director at Grant Associates, shared. By prioritizing nature, wellbeing, and sustainability, as a team weve created an environment that reflects the changing needs of the modern workplace while staying true to the building and gardens pioneering spirit.Robert Shannon, an associate director at Twelve Architects & Masterplanners, said the project team anticipates achieving Outstanding certification per BREEAM requirements.